Earticle

Purpose : This study aimed to examine the relationships among five clinical measures for functional alignment of the lower extremity. Methods : Thirty healthy subjects (15 males and 15 females) were recruited for the study. The five clinical measures of functional alignment of the lower extremity included navicular drop, quadriceps angle, internal rotation of hip, and anterior and lateral pelvic tilt angles. The level of navicular drop was calculated by the difference between the height of the navicular bone in the sitting (non-weight bearing) and standing (weight bearing) positions. The quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip were measured using a standard goniometer with photographic markers while the subjects were lying in a prone position on a table with their knee at 90° flexion. Anterior and lateral pelvic tilt angles were determined using a inclinometer. Results : Correlation and a simple linear regression analysis were used to assess relationships between the clinical measures. There were significant correlations between navicular drop and quadriceps angle (p<.05), between navicular drop and internal rotation of hip (p<.05), and between quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip (p<.01). In simple linear regression analysis, the navicular drop appeared to be a factor affecting the quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip (p<.05). The findings suggest that navicular drop has a great impact on lower extremity alignment. Conclusion : This study might help us to examine lower extremity function and clarify its role as a potential injury risk factor.

Purpose : To identify whether isometric shoulder horizontal extension (ISHE) exercise could sufficiently activate the lumbar multifidus muscle, and to determine appropriate exercise intensity to increase muscle strength. Methods : Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) participated in this study. ISHE exercises on the dominant side were performed with 90° shoulder abduction held in 90° elbow flexion so that their arms were in the horizontal plane. Electromyographic (EMG) measurements of multifidus activation were performed in standing and supine positions, and were taken under four strength conditions: 75%, 50% and 25% of maximum shoulder horizontal extension strength, and maximum strength. Results : The EMG activations of both lumbar multifidus increased significantly with ISHE exercises of larger % strength (p<.05). In their multifidus EMG data measured in standing and supine positions, men differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength for both sides (p<.05), and women differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength on their 5th lumbar vertebrae's left side, but 75% only for their 5th lumbar vertebrae's right side (p<.05). The EMG data of 5th lumbar vertebrae's left and 5th lumbar vertebrae's right sides appeared to differ significantly at all strength levels for men while standing, but only at the 25% level for women in the supine position (p<.05). These findings indicate that ISHE exercises can be considered a beneficial method to enhance the multifidus strength. Conclusion : This study provides useful information for further study in this field.

Purpose : To compare the effect between isometric exercise group(n=10) and electrical stimulation therapy group(n=10) on improvement of biceps brachii muscle strength. Methods : The experiments were performed for 4 weeks and three times a week. The participants of this study were 20 students(10 male, 10 female) who had not any medical problems. We divided into the two groups. One group received isometric exercise and the other group received EST for 4 weeks. The biceps brachii muscle strength was evaluated by making use of the KIN-COM. Results : The results were as follows 1. One group which received isometric exercise increased 36% for biceps brachii muscle strength. 2.The other group which received EST increased 54% for biceps brachii muscle strength. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that EST group was more effective than isometric exercise group.

Purpose: The study compared the muscle activity and ratio of upper trapezius (UT) to lower trapezius (LT) activity between acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) patients. Methods: Twelve healthy (male: 7), 14 acute WAD (male: 7), and 11 chronic WAD (male: 3) volunteers participated in this study. Electromyography using a surface EMG recorded the activity of the upper trapezius and lower trapezius of both shoulders (dominant and non-dominant) during 120° elevation when standing and shoulder depression when sitting. The testing order was selected randomly. Subjects were asked to maintain each experimental position for 5 seconds at end range. EMG activity was normalized using the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) elicited using a manual muscle-testing technique. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the average root mean square (RMS) value of EMG activity for each condition. Results: The EMG activity of the dominant UT for chronic WAD subjects was significantly higher than for acute WAD subjects during 120° elevation (p<.05). The EMG activity of the dominant LT for acute WAD subjects was significantly lower than for the control group (p<.05) during 120° elevation. The EMG activity of the dominant LT for WAD patients was significantly lower than for the control group during shoulder depression (p<.05), and the chronic WAD patients scored significantly the lowest (p<.01). The dominant UT/LT for chronic WAD patients was significantly higher than the ratio for acute WAD subjects during shoulder depression (p<.05); this result was higher than for the control group (p<.01). The non-dominant UT/LT (ratio) for chronic WAD patients was significantly higher than the ratio for acute WAD subjects during shoulder depression (p<.05). Conclusion: The UT for chronic WAD subjects was hyperactive when compared to the acute WAD subjects, and the was hypoactive for both acute and chronic patients, therefore intra-trapezius imbalance was more prevalent during shoulder depression.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of sensory integration training on equilibrium ability in the college students of the twenties. Methods : The sensory integration training group(male: n=10, female: n=9) was measured an equilibrium ability by Kinesthetic Ability Trainer(KAT) at pre-intervention and post-intervention in 4weeks. Results : Mean value of eye close both leg standing and eye close one leg standing tests of the sensory integration training group were significantly reduced among the intervention period(p＜.05). Conclusion : We were found that sensory integration training could reduce mean value of eye close both leg standing and eye close one leg standing tests and improve a balance for the college students of the twenties

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to understanding of a hemophiliac with hemarthrosis and provided information of rehabilitative therapy. Methods : The General understanding and rehabilitative therapy of a hemophiliac with hemarthrosis considered the matter carefully using a related publications and a internet searching investigation. Results : From the physical therapeutic method for pain alleviation, decreasing edema, ability of muscular strength and control, range of motion(ROM) in joint, prevention of damage on hemorrhaged joint in the hemophiliac with hemarthrosis, rehabilitative therapy for exercise of ROM, muscular strength, proprioceptive sense was most effective for patients. Conclusion : Physical therapists known the rehabilitative therapy should helped a hemophiliac with hemarthrosis to prevent from permanent change.

Purpose : To evaluate effects of joint mobilization on the range of motion of chronic low back pain patients. Methods : The subjects were consisted of sixty patients who had non specific chronic low back pain(10 females. 10 males; mean aged 36.5). All subjects received modalities treatment with therapeutic massage for 10minutes and joint mobilization or manipulation for 10minutes per day and three times a week during 4 weeks period. The Multilevel Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire(MR-MDQ) was used to measure functional disability level. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) was used to measure subjective pain level. Remodified Schober test(RST) was used to measure forward flexion range of motion of lumbar segment. Finger-to-Floor test(F-T-FT) was used to measure forward flexion range of motion of full spine of low back pain patients. All measurements of each patients were measured at pre-treatment and 4 week post-treatment. Results : The MR-MDQ, VAS, RCT and F-T-FT were significantly different withinsubjects(p＜.05), Conclusion : The manual therapy included therapeutic massage and joint mobilization found that improved chronic low back pain patients. Further studies are needed to including more subjects on long-term outcomes.

The palpation of spinous process and transverse process of vertebra are important part of the assesment and treatment from Orthopedic manual therapy. But the palpation area is descriptive differently each of literatures. So we generally got these outcomes. : There are C2, C3, C4 and C6 process as a bony landmarks and these are important part of establish the precise location of pain appears from cervical spine. Even though C7 process regard a prominent part, it is hard to distinguish C6 and process of T1. Thru that differentiation, grab the patient’s forehead and try them cervical and hyper-extension check any movement of process or put on the fingers on C7 preocess and check the movement. The palpation of thoracic spine process is the land mark which determines general level orientation in the spine easily, there are T2, T7 spinous process. However, It is depends on how do you test the patient’s arm when you palpate it and it can effect on spinous process. The transverse process of C1 is the only spot for palpation in cervical spine, and T1-3, T12 transverse process can palpate it when it stands on the process. The end of T4-6, T11 is placed on middle on vertebra of transverse process and transverse process. T7-9, T10 transverse process is place on same position as spinous process which is upper part of the spine.

The sacroiliac joint is difficult to appropriately examine and treat because it is extremely complex and also is difficult to distinguish dysfunctions from those of the spine and hip which are highly intergrated functionally. In addition generally traditional x-rays and CT scans also are not beneficial in detecting sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The manipulative physiotherapist should seek to establish a series of relevant finding that build into a case implicating the sacroiliac joint When deciding to use these diagnostic tests, the examiner must determine if the test will give reliable and useful information that will help in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. To be useful diagnostic tests must give reliable data and be valid. and the most useful methods of determining whether a test is a good test for pathology under consideration are sensitivity and specificity. In the ideal world, one would want a test that has both high sensitivity and high specificity The purpose of this review is to ascertain diagnostic value on the tests for sacroiliac joint dysfunction by literature